Biotechnological production unit Baxter

The initial building program includes the areas of production, storage, laboratories, site management and company restaurant. It is to be possible to extend each area separately without affecting ongoing activities so as to allow adjustment to the development of a continuously changing process. Cost optimization continues to be another main goal, together with attention to the aesthetic of the complex and convenience for its users. The enlargement and rebuild of the year 1999 comprises three sections: an extension of the administration building towards the south, an increase in the length of the central axis and finally the complete conversion of the hall.Planning and design of the western building extension were carried out in 2002-2003. This section includes the new biotechnological production units, the laboratories, the administration and the technical production systems, which are accommodated on seven building levels.

The arrangement in the form of a “comb” along the main axis creates the appropriate divisions for fire protection purposes, controls the specific pharmaceutical production flows between the areas and allows an extension of each sector. The main axis, which structures the entire site, favors internal and external orientation and directs one’s view to the surroundings with its trees and the panorama of the Alps. Its central position on the premises is determined by the inclination of the terrain, favoring the integration of the building structure by mitigating its block-like appearance. In the east, the main axis traverses the laboratories and the administration in the form of an “L”, ending in the predominantly glazed cylinder of the entrance hall and the restaurant with its view into nature. To the west of the main axis, on the side facing the Jura mountain range, is the large warehouse building. On the side facing the lake is the process building which houses the clean rooms for production on the ground floor and the air conditioning and CIP systems in the mezzanine. The landscaping of the property demonstrates the will to retain its rural character. After all the equipment had been removed from the original hall in 1999, a second hall had to be built around it. The ground floor of this new building accommodates two production lines and the filling line installed in its extension. Since there is no technical basement, the first floor is reserved for the technical systems, which account for about 70 percent of the total net surface area of this production unit. The main installations here are the large air conditioning systems needed for the new production lines plus all the lighting systems. These installations must be accessible without entering the clean rooms. The rest of 30 percent is covered by the clean rooms. Those were realized in collaboration with the specialists of Baxter, respecting all the necessary installation and acceptance regulations.